The fall is a beautiful time of year, especially here in the Rocky Mountains. Leaves are falling, colors are changing, and the crisp air makes everything more enjoyable. Football games, soccer games, pumpkin patches, and warm apple cider are some of the things that make a great fall season. Fall is also a season where your Siding can use a little extra attention. While the weather is nice, it is a great time to tend to your siding to ensure it performs well during the winter and for years to come. Read on for some fall siding tips to keep your siding in great shape!
Inspection
The best way to stay ahead of costly siding maintenance and repair is by inspecting your siding regularly for any signs of damage. The fall weather makes it easy to take your time outside, looking at all of the siding areas on your home, and even getting up on the ladder or down on your knees to see the areas that aren’t always visible. The intense Colorado sun, strong winds, and occasional rain and hail can all be damaging to your siding, and catching the first signs of trouble can save you time, money, and stress. Look for cracks, holes, siding that is uneven or wavy, siding that is not laying flat, rot, mold, or mildew. Any gaps or cracks in your siding can let moisture in and lead to more significant home damage. Look at the corners, where the siding terminates, and around any windows, doors, or rooflines to make sure that your siding forms a tight seal, and that there is nowhere for water to enter your home. If you have damage just to one panel or board, you may be able to replace just that section. Not taking action now could lead to damage to other sections, and be more costly in the future. You should also inspect any caulking that is between boards, windows, or other joints. Your siding may be in fine condition, but if the caulking is peeling, cracking, or nonexistent, your home is not fully protected.
Repair
Take the time this fall to make the necessary repairs to your home siding, before winter snows and cold have fully descended. If you repair small issues with your siding you can prolong the lifespan and efficiency, saving you money in the long run. Vinyl siding could have small holes or dents caused by accidental impact or hail. Fiber cement siding that has cracked boards should be replaced as well, and if you don’t feel comfortable working with siding replacement, Airtight Exteriors is happy to help. Make sure you repair any damages before moving on to the next fall step, which is cleaning.
Clean
The great thing about the siding we offer is that vinyl, fiber cement, and James Hardie siding are all easy to clean. A bucket of warm, soapy water and a soft bristled brush can be used to get dirt and grime off of your siding and leave your home looking great. A pressure washer can also be used, and can make your job much easier, but be careful to not use too high of pressure or hold the wand too close to the siding. High pressure can dent siding, and can take the finish off of pre primed or pre painted boards. If you don’t have a pressure washer, using a hose can help you with hard to reach areas. You will be surprised at how much of a difference a good cleaning can have on your siding. Months of dust, pollen, dirt, and more can reveal your beautiful siding underneath—your home will look much better! The small crevices in siding are also a favorite hiding place for spiders and other insects you probably would like to keep away from your home. Even just using a brush to sweep away cobwebs, dust, and leaves can make a big difference. Once you’ve cleaned your siding in the fall, it will look better once the snow comes—nothing looks worse than wet, dirty siding.
Gutters
While gutters aren’t technically part of the siding on your home, they can cause serious damage if not cleaned and maintained. When the leaves are falling faster than you can rake them up, remember that your gutters are probably getting clogged as well. Clogged gutters can cause water to overflow, and run down the siding on your home. Of course, your siding is intended to withstand the elements, but continual moisture will eventually cause rot and damage. Gutters that aren’t working well can also cause damage, especially around the downspout. A downspout that is leaking will cause a continual waterfall on the outside of your home, and will be extremely damaging to your siding. Having your gutters professionally cleaned can help alleviate any siding damage problems.
Exterior Faucets
Again, faucets aren’t really part of siding, but they need to be maintained to keep your siding in good condition. After you are done with watering your garden, your lawn, and the occasional water balloon bonanza, you should make sure your outside faucets are freeze-proof. The weather in Colorado can change rapidly and dramatically, so the fall is a good time to beat the first unpredictable hard freeze. Some people just insulate the exterior faucet, but installing actual freeze-proof faucets are the best way to prevent burst water pipes and damage to not just your siding but the interior of your home as well. You should also inspect the area around your exterior faucets to ensure that no water has been dripping and damaging the siding, and that there aren’t any gaps or cracks where moisture, dirt, or insects can enter.
Dryer Vents
We are talking about another non-siding part of your home. But we hope you can see that your siding interacts with many other parts of the house to form a weathertight seal, and these other elements can affect your siding’s performance. Your dryer vents should be facing away from any exterior walls, and not pointing back towards a corner. The air coming out of your dryer is humid, and can cause moisture damage to your siding. Lint and dust can clog your dryer vent, and even spray onto your home’s exterior. Clean this area thoroughly to keep your siding in great condition.
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